More Than Just Dates: What to Write on a Memorial Plaque

Losing someone is never easy, and when the time comes to create a lasting memorial, choosing the right words for a plaque can feel overwhelming. It's a small space to encapsulate a life, a personality, and the love you shared. This blog post aims to guide you through the process, offering suggestions and inspiration for crafting a meaningful inscription for your loved one's memorial plaque.

Remember, there's no single 'right' way to craft a memorial inscription. The most meaningful plaques are those that authentically capture the essence of the person being remembered, whether through elegant poetry or simple, heartfelt words.

While names and dates are essential, a memorial plaque offers an opportunity to add a personal touch. Think about what made your loved one unique. What were their passions, their defining characteristics, or the impact they had on those around them? This will help you choose words that truly reflect their spirit.

Before deciding on wording:

There are practical considerations, around where the plaque will be mounted. If it is in a public place, then you may want a less personal more informative tone than if it is in a private garden. You should check for any restrictions on length or wording in public spaces. Above all read the inscription aloud to ensure it flows well and feels appropriate.

Key Considerations:

• Space: Plaques often have limited space, so brevity is key. Choose words carefully and prioritise what's most important to you.
• Tone: Do you want the inscription to be sombre, celebratory, or a reflection of their humour? The tone should reflect their personality and the way you wish to remember them.
• Religious Beliefs: If your loved one had strong religious beliefs, you might choose a quote from scripture or a religious saying.
• Personal Touch: A nickname, a shared joke, or a line from their favourite song can add a more personal and touching element.

Inspiration and Ideas:

Here are some ideas for what you could include on a memorial plaque, mixing traditional and more personal approaches with lines lifted form songs and poetry. You can find inspiration for memorial plaques in many places, including music, poems, plays and films, depending on the preferences both of yourself and your loved one.
 

Traditional and respectful:

• "In Loving Memory of [Name]"
• "Forever in our Hearts"
• "Rest in Peace"
• "Sadly Missed, Always Remembered"
• "Beloved [Relationship] of [Name]"
   

Personal and evocative:

• "[Name] - A life well lived."
• "[Name] - Always smiling, always loved."
• "[Name] - A true friend, a loving [Relationship]."
• "[Name] - Their light shines on."
• "[Name] - Gone too soon but never forgotten."
   

Quotes and sayings:

• "The best is yet to come." (Frank Sinatra)
• "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
• "To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." (Thomas Campbell)
• "Goodbyes are not forever, goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again."
• "May the road rise to meet you, and the wind be always at your back." (Irish Blessing)
   

Wordsworth

• "The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love."
• "That best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love."
• "We live by admiration, hope, and love."
• "The music of the spheres blends with the music of the heart."
   

Keats

• "Beauty is truth, truth beauty, that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
• "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."
• "Here lies one whose name was writ in water." (His own requested epitaph)
• "I have loved the principle of beauty in all things."
   

Browning

• "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be."
• "One who never turned his back but marched breast forward, Never doubted clouds would break."
• "Love is best."
   

Tennyson

• "Tho' much is taken, much abides."
• "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
• "That which we are, we are: One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
• "I am a part of all that I have met."
   

Other Poets

• Shakespeare: "How sweet the memory of departed friends!"
• Emily Dickinson: "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul."
• Robert Frost: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep."
• Langston Hughes: "Life is for the living."
• Maya Angelou: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
   

Focusing on Nature & Peace:

• "Resting in peace." (Traditional and comforting)
• "Gone too soon, but forever at peace." (Acknowledges loss while emphasising peace)
• "May their memory be a blessing." (Jewish tradition, expressing hope and good wishes)
• "Returned to the earth." (Emphasises the natural cycle of life)
• "Like a tree planted by rivers of water." (Biblical imagery of strength and flourishing)
• "Their roots remain, though the tree has fallen." (Metaphor for lasting influence)
   

Focusing on Love & Family:

• "Beloved husband/wife/parent/child..." (Specific and personal)
• "Devoted to family and friends." (Highlights important relationships)
• "A loving presence, deeply missed." (Expresses both love and loss)
• "The love they shared will never be forgotten." (Focuses on the enduring power of love)

Film and TV:

• "After all, Tomorrow is another day!” - Gone with the Wind (1939)
• “Life was like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you’re gonna get.” -  Forest Gump (1994)
• “Just keep swimming” – Finding Nemo (2003)
• “To live would be an awfully big adventure.” – Hook (1991)
• “Do or do not. There is no try.” – Star Wars: Episode V (1980)
• “It’s just a flesh wound.” – Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Music:

• "Take these broken wings and learn to fly” – The Beatles, Blackbird
• “And you're standing here beside me, I love the passing of time” – Talking Heads, This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)
• “I’m a-leavin’ tomorrow, but I could leave today” – Bob Dylan, Song to Woody
• “How wonderful life is while you’re in the world” – Elton John, Your Song

Structure:

Although there are no hard rules on how a plaque should be laid out, here are some loose guidelines we would recommend and often see:

• Introduce the plaque and its meaning - e.g. “in memory of”, or “in celebration of”, explains the context of the plaque
• Name – the largest piece of text on the plaque, often in a bold font, to draw focus to who it is we are remembering, occasionally followed by a nickname, or, if applicable, a maiden name.
• Dates- if a memorial plaque - show the span of someone’s life, if a celebratory plaque - the date of the achievement, or even if a tree plaque - perhaps the date in which the tree was planted.  Dates are quite often in an Italic font to distinguish it from any other text, and can look great in numerical, text and roman numeral form.
• Text – Here is a great place to add some personalised text, whether it is a quote or statement, this is the part to sum up someone’s life or achievements.  These can often include who the person was to you, who the plaque is from or some further details about them,

Imagery:

Many memorial plaques can include imagery and graphics, to further increase that personal touch!  Great things to include can be flowers, animals, logos and portraits.  The most important thing to consider is making the plaque stand out and making it truly unique to the person it is dedicated to.  What is their favourite flower, favourite animal, favourite football club, even their favourite cartoon character, it really can be anything! 

One important thing to consider however is how well this might translate to an engraving.  Although some plaques can be printed, if you want the traditional engraved finish, any imagery must be easily converted to black and white or a simple line drawing to ensure it can be engraved.  Anything too fine and delicate may not survive the process and full colour images are not always possible to engrave.

To summarise, choosing the words for a memorial plaque is a deeply personal process. Take your time, reflect on the life of your loved one, and choose words that honour their memory in a way that feels right for you and your family. Don't be afraid to ask for help from family and friends if you're struggling. The most important thing is that the inscription comes from the heart.